Page 41 of Illicit Education
“Yes, if you’recomfortablewith that, of course.”
“Well, I am.” Greer turned to me. “Are you?”
“Yeah. Totally,” I lied.
And not very well, judging by the look Greer shot me.
Mina smiled sympathetically. “You can always leave, Rylan, remember that. You can come right back to this booth anytime you want, or come find me. Voyeurism isn’t for everyone, and consent runsbothways.” She paused to let the emphasis of her words sink in. “Anyone participating in a public scene tonight has consented, butyouhave to be comfortable too, okay?”
I nodded, swallowing past the lump of nerves gathering in my throat.
“She’ll be fine. She readFifty Shades of Grey,like, three times.”
Oh my God.My eyes widened. Greer did not just compare a book written on a very loose understanding of BDSM to an actual, real life fetish club.
And she didn’t just do so in front of the owner of said club.
I imagined it.
Please tell me I imagined it.
“Not exactly the same thing,” Mina said, a slight frown drawing her brows together.
Ugh, I didn’t imagine it.
“But I appreciate the sentiment.” She looked at me and leaned forward. “Safe, sane, and consensual, Rylan, that’s our motto. Nothing happens to you here without consent, not even witnessing things that might make you uncomfortable.” She pointed to a man dressed in a black vest and an almost medieval looking floor-length skirt. “That is what we call a Dungeon Guard, or DG for short. He’s here to help my guests, to keep everyone safe, to answer any questions that may arise while you’re here in the Rabbit Hole. There are DGs located throughout the underground.”
“Dungeon guards, see, Ry? It’s all good.”
I laughed, then quickly covered my mouth. As if the worddungeonmadeanything ‘all good’. “Sorry,” I said, “I laugh when I get nervous.”
“So I’ve noticed.” Mina winked, and I died a little. Of course she hadn’t forgotten my earlier reaction to seeing Cabot Reed shirtless in a black leather hood.
But could she blame me? Could anyone?
“Go enjoy yourselves. I’ll be here when you’re ready to come back.”
Greer slipped her hand into mine and pulled me forward. “Come on.”
When we’d cleared the dance floor and the crowd of people gathered on it, I tugged Greer into a corner and gave her my best death glare. “I cannot believe you told her I read Fifty Shades.”
She frowned. “But you did.”
“Greer, it’s pretty well known that things weren’t… properly represented in that book. It did a lot for the romance industry, for sure, but for people in the actual lifestyle–”
“You sure know a lot about it for someone who doesn’t know a lot about it.”
“I don’t…” Shaking my head, I sighed. “I just read. And pay attention.”
“Well, maybe you should pay less attention. You look like you’re about to come out of your skin, Ry. Relax. We’re just here to ogle them, not sign up for a spanking.”
My gaze flicked around, but we were still rather alone in the small alcove I’d pulled us into.
Greer laughed. “You should see your face.” She shook her head. “Always so worried about people overhearing me.” She widened her eyes dramatically. “Besides, they should be happy I’m here to watch. Maybe I’ll sign up and they’ll have someone new to play with.”
My mouth dropped open.
Greer flashed a smile, then turned around and shook her ass for me. “Look at that juicy peach. Who wouldn’t want me for a plaything?”